Previously I do not own Molly of Denali, or any of the characters contained within this story. Molly of Denali is the property of Kathy Waugh and Dorothea Gillim.
I look forward to the reviews and criticisms (I know there will be some). I hope you enjoy the story, and just like the cartoon on PBS Kids, I am trying to stay true to the characters as shown each and every day. I am also including real elements like they've done on the show (racism, environmental, life, and death, etc..). I hope you like this when I start to repost the chapters.
Please review all of my stories. Feedback would give me ideas I can use for not only this story but for future ones. Thank you for your time and happy reading.
My story takes place in 2021 when Molly is twelve, Tooey is twelve and Trini is nine.
Coming to the Rescue
"Are the snowmachines gassed up for tonight?" Layla asked looking at her father and husband. "Yes dear, they're gassed and ready for tonight." Walter told her. "Dak Niighit, you have nothing to worry about, we'll be ready once the storm passes." Nat assured her.
"Thanks, Ti'yaa. I was wondering what Mr. Rowley has planned for tonight since he never told us what he had in mind to do." Layla mentioned plugging in the Trading Post laptop.
"Why didn't he tell what was going to happen?" Nat asked.
"I don't know, he went to see Auntie Midge." Layla told him.
"I'm going to stay here, so we can be ready when Midge and Rowley talk to us after the storm passes." Nat mentioned walking up the stairs to the living area of the Trading Post.
"You get some rest, and I'll make some lunch, and we'll wait out the storm. It doesn't seem as intense as the others have been." Nat said.
"I wonder why Mr. Rowley mentioned the plane. I can't fly in this weather for long. My plane is not meant for this kind of weather." Layla fretted.
"Dak Niighit, I know the plane can't handle the storm but during the calm between storms it might just be the right time to use it. I am sure Rowley has a good reason for mentioning it. We'll see in a bit. Come up and have some lunch."
"Yes sir, Layla said walking up the stairs and following her father.
Molly watched as the others slept soundly against each other. Watching Tooey, she smiled and noticed that he had his arms around Trini as far around as he could reach from where he was sitting. Turning to Trini, her breathing was short but consistent. Molly could see that even in her sleep, the ribs were not allowing her to get a deep breath.
Thinking to herself, "I know we just had lunch. I wonder what time it is.?" Moving as slowly as possible, so as not to wake either of her sleeping friends, she pulled out her phone. It was 12:30pm, not being able to see outside of the tent, she guessed that the sky was darkening. I know the sun rises for only about four hours or so."
She then placed the phone in her lap and peered at the amount of power that remained. She saw there was only eight percent. "This thing is as good as dead. If I tried to set an alarm, the phone would never ring." Groaning she placed the phone back into her pocket.
Turning to look at her sleeping friends, she was shocked to find that Trini had been watching her. "Did you see how much was left on the phone, before I put it away?" She asked, hoping she was wrong.
Trini nodded her head. Molly gulped, "I was going to set an alarm for when we can fire the flares, but now I can't since the phone would die before then." She explained. Trini just shrugged her shoulders and snuggled against Tooey and moved her arm and reached for Molly.
She moved closer to Tooey and Trini. She grabbed an extra hide and snuggled up against them and like Trini she slowly fell asleep thinking about how things had deteriorated since they had begun this trip three days before.
Kenji watched as Atsaq made three individual packs for the kids, to deal with their injuries, urgent and non-urgent. "Think you might need more that that to help them when they are found?" He asked.
Atsaq responded not turning away from her work. "I am not sure what I am going to be needing. I do know that Trini is severely injured and is going to need an x-ray. Thankfully, I have that in the office here. If there is anything else needed, she is going to have to go to Anchorage and a bigger facility that I can provide for them here." She admitted.
Observing her as she packed the kits away in a duffel bag. "Is there anything else you feel would be necessary?" He asked. "No idea, I am packing for the purpose of stabilizing them and preparing them for the hospital. Despite the report Molly had given, all of them are going to the hospital for check-up and any further care they may be needing." She replied smiling.
Kenji walked around the sofa and placed a kiss on her head. She finished securing the duffle. She handed him the bag and he placed it beside the front door.
Turning back to Atsaq, he saw that her smile from a few moments before had vanished and was replaced by a stoic face that he didn't like seeing on her.
Atsaq's mind was on the kids, and how they would be when they were found. She tried to run all of the drills she knew and wanted to be prepared for the worst when the kids returned to Qyah.
"Thank you for showing us the video Layla. It was a depressing but helpful at the same time." Joy told her. "I am sorry you had to see that, but I'm glad to include you as part of the community. Hopefully, when we talk next, we'll have better news for you." Layla said as she waved.
"Thanks Layla, we'll talk to you guys later when we're planning for rescuing the kids." Daniel said closing the laptop. He raised the phone to eye level and continued the call. "Honey like I said earlier, the snow was too thick, and the threat of another storm hurried our earlier search, and we had to abort or get caught in one ourselves." Daniel explained.
"Based on what Layla ha said, I am hopeful you'll find the kids tonight. I am so angry I can't be there to help. I know you understand that I am unhappy when I see my Trini bear was hurt. Her friends also seem to be suffering." Joy mentioned holding back her tears that were threatening to fall.
Despite hearing the sadness in her voice, he couldn't help but feel the same way his military spouse was feeling. "She is hurting despite her need to be strong for the people she serves." He thought to himself.
"We'll do the best we can Joy. Atsaq will do what she needs to. I know you trust her and her expertise. You know she helped the lost hiker on Denali last year." Joy nodded.
"Yes I do, I just don't like being here so far away from Trini when she and her friends need all of us." Joy admitted. Daniel smiled, "I can take care of her Joy. I have handled it when you're aren't here. Please trust me now, I can take care of Texas when she gets back. Okay honey?" He asked.
Joy returned the smile, "Of course, you can handle it. I am just fretting because that's my little girl." Danile laughed slightly, "I know, once a mother, always a mother, no matter the job. I'll update you once more information becomes available. I love you. Bye Joy."
"I love and miss you too. Let Trini know when you see her. Give her a kiss and a hug from me please." Joy said blowing him a kiss. "Always my love." He replied blowing her a kiss back before signing off the phone and placing it on the charger.
Tooey suddenly opened his eyes and looked around. He didn't recognize anything as he looked at the tent and the huddle of hides around him. A few seconds passed, the haze of his mind cleared, he now remember where he was, who he was with and what had happened. He quickly looked from the people he was together with to the dogs that were huddled together nearby.
He saw that Trini and Molly were still asleep. "I wonder what time it is?" He thought to himself. He slowly removed Trini and Molly's arms from around him and placed Molly's arm onto Trini. She instinctively grasped the hides and pulled her closer. Tooey smiled, "Even when she's asleep, she is protective of her. I love that about her." He whispered.
He tried to stand but found that his legs had stiffened, and it was making it hard for him to stand. He groaned loudly before realizing he might accidentally wake up Trini or Molly. Looking up, he saw that Molly was stirring.
He waited a moment hoping she would fall back to sleep since he didn't mean to wake. No such luck, she opened her eyes and saw that Tooey was sitting besides them. "What's wrong Tooey?" She asked groggily yawning and trying to stretch.
"Where's your phone, I wonder what time it is?" He asked looking around. Molly blanched and tried smiling but found it to be impossible. She reached into her pocket and produced the phone.
Tooey watched as Molly was pressing the button and nothing happened. She tried the button again and received the same result. All of the color left his face when he realized that they had no way of telling time.
Tooey noticed that Molly was pressing the button a few times, and Trini was being jostled, "Um, I have no idea Tooey. Why?" She asked sheepishly trying to keep the sadness out of her voice.
A few seconds later, Trini opened her eyes. Yawning and trying to stretch, she had to drop her arms since she wasn't able to take a deep breath. "When are we supposed to light the flares and signal our elders and parents?" Trini asked.
"About dinnertime. Unfortunately, I have no idea when that is. For all we know it could be now." Molly replied quickly putting on her parka and throwing a few hides onto Trini since she was dressed in her regular clothes.
Trini saw the look in her eyes and knew something wasn't right. She also had no idea how to fix what Molly had just told them. She wasn't wearing a watch, she just contemplated what Molly would do since she was fresh out of ideas.
Once Molly was dressed, she and Tooey gathered together the two leads and guided the dogs upward and out of the hole. Molly noted how Tooey had to brace his legs whenever he tried to take a step either forward or in this case upward. He was struggling badly. While thinking about it, a feeling of nausea nearly overwhelmed her. She managed to fight it and made the short climb out of the hole.
Steadying herself, she looked up and Tooey was offering her half of the remaining dogs to walk. He started walking in one direction and she walked them in another direction just to avoid getting them tangled up.
As she walked the dogs, she held the line loosely. She gazed skyward and saw that the night sky was overcast, and the sun had long gone to sleep. "I hope we aren't going to miss our window of opportunity." She fretted thinking to herself again
After either a few minutes or an hour, she had no idea, she turned the dogs around and walked back towards Tooey and the other dogs. Molly continued to think to herself and pondered the situation and how to fix it. She couldn't think of anything.
Tooey walking alongside her was also trying to think of something that could help them to determine what time it was. "If we use the flares too early, we'll could miss any search parties. On the other hand, if we already missed them and didn't hear them because we were sleeping. Using them now would b a waste of the flares." Tooey thought to himself as the dogs walk beside them. Ultimately, he felt like he was drawing a blank just like Molly.
Molly thought of a few scenarios of her own, "I can't call them, I can't make another video, and I have no way of know what the time is." Her feeling were building up inside her. "What if we missed them, and now Trini can't get the help she needs. Tooey also needs some help too. His legs seems to be bothering him." As she was thinking, Tooey turned and looked at her face.
Seeing her face changing and running through several emotions he recognized at once; he immediately dropped the lead he had been carrying and turned towards Molly. The tears building in her eyes finally overwhelmed her and began to fall. He placed a hand onto her shoulder, and she stopped walking, and the dogs continued moving pulling the lead from her hand.
Noticing that the lead was not in their owner and friends hands, the dogs huddled together and laid down and kept each other warm. "Molly, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" He asked.
Turning to Tooey, her usual demeanor of bravery and confidence shattered since she was a loss at to how to fix their situation. "Tooey," She mumbled through her tears.
Instinctively, he reached forward and pulled her into another hug. She embraced him tightly and put her head into his shoulder since they were almost the same height. He held her and just rocked from side to side. He had no idea what to do so he just rubbed her back. "Everything will be okay we'll figure something out." He told her.
"yy haff no ikkeffa waft tho doo." He saw that Molly's face was buried in his shoulder and could not understand a word she had said. He opened his arms and allowed her to wiggle freely. "What did you say? He asked once she was clear from his shoulder.
"I said," she sobbed. "I have no idea what to do. If we're already late, the flares would be useless. If we're early they won't see them either." She sniffed again. Tooey listened as she was pouring her heart out and giving him the gist of what she was thinking. "I can see that the situation seems bad. And I also think it is bad. We always managed to get through things haven't we?" he asked looking at her.
Molly being so overcome with emotions just nodded. "Then we should just go back to the tent, eat something, and then use the flares and hope the ancestors are with us. They can lead our parents to the flares." He stated letting her go and walking over to the dogs and retrieved the guidelines they had both dropped.
Coming back to her, he offered one of the leads. Molly took the lead and reached up and tried drying her eyes. "Ouch!" she cried. Tooey looked at her, "Your tears froze on your face." He told her. "Don't wipe them until we get back into the tent and can warm up. Otherwise, it might hurt more if you tried to dry them out here in the cold wind." Molly smiled and dropped her arm by her side and reached up and wrapped her arm around Tooey's and walked back to the tent.
As they returned to the tent, Tooey noticed Molly had perked up and was not as sad as before. She helped him bring the dogs back down into the hole. They placed the leads next to the tent anchoring the dogs before Tooey lifted the hides allowing her to enter the tent. Ducking under his arm, she couldn't help smiling at him. His own smile mirrored hers as they moved inside and found their places next to Trini.
Trini looked up as the side of the tent was lifted and Molly ducking under Tooey's arm walked inside and sat down next to her and Tooey sat on Trini's opposite side. "Was it cold up there Molly?" Your face is covered in tears." Trini inquired.
"Molly nodded her head, "Yes, Trini it was freezing up there. The tears were for a different reason." Molly admitted. "What reason is that?" She asked.
Looking from Tooey, back to Trini, she saw Tooey nodded his head slightly. "I was crying because I don't know what time it is. We might have missed our parents and possibly being rescued." Molly confessed.
"Oh, that would suck. If it makes you feel any better, I am glad to be stuck out here with you and Tooey. We really warm each other up." Trini beamed replacing the hides that had been covering her.
Tooey and Molly returned her smile. Molly sat for a few minutes and then wiped her face. Once her vision was clear she saw Tooey removing the flares from their carrying case. He placed three of them onto the floor and stood with one of them in his hands.
Before leaving Tooey stopped suddenly and bowed his head, closed his eyes, and spoke. Hearing his first words Molly bowed her had as well, and a second later Trini joined them in the prayer Toory offered up to the ancestors. "May the elders and ancestors guide those that love us here to find us."
Trini watched as Tooey and Molly traded glances. Not sure what to do Trini added, "Amen." Tooey and Molly looked at her. "Hey, I've never asked ancestors for help before, so I didn't know what to say. So, I said what I always say after a prayer." Trini told them smiling. "Hopefully, they aren't offended if that was the wrong thing to say." She asked aloud.
Molly and Tooey smiled and laughed, "Trini, you can say anything you want to. I know you don't feel like we do about our ancestors, but you are a part of this community, and however, you want to contribute, is fine with us, right Molly?" Tooey asked looking at her. "Yes you can Trini, yes you can." Molly added.
A few moments later, the girls heard the tell-tale sound of the flare igniting. A few moments passed before a grunting and heavily breathing Tooey returned to the tent.
"One of us has to watch the flare. When it starts to die down, they we need to light the next one." Okay, I'll have the next one standing by when you need it. Molly said. "While we're waiting can you watch the first one, while I use the bathroom. I'm sure Trini may have to as well." Molly asked.
"Sure, thing ladies, I'll be upstairs keeping watch until the next flare is needed." Tooey told them leaving the tent and making his way out of the hole and back into the cold air. Molly scrutinized him as he walked out of the tent placing a hand on his thighs and wincing again.
A moment later he could be heard struggling to climb out of the hole. Back down in the tent, Trini was getting ready to use the hole Molly had been digging. As she was helping Trini she couldn't help thinking to herself, "I hope this works."
Tooey finally stepping onto the trampled snow, she found a rock that was not completely buried in snow and sat down. As he was watching the flame coming from the flare, he thought to himself and in a soft whisper, "I hope this works."
Walter observed that whenever Layla worried about things she always wore herself out. Since the kids had been missing she hadn't had a good night's sleep. With their upcoming plans for the night involving her flying her plane, she was "advised" that she needed to get some well-deserved sleep. Atsaq having the same dilemma also went home to get some rest.
He finished washing the lunch late afternoon dishes when the quiet time was interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone. Layla jolted awake; she had been sitting at the dining room table. Noticing her surroundings, she wanted to stand but noticed she had been draped with a heavy blanket and could not move around easily.
Walter dried his hands, placed a kiss on her head as he passed her and picked up the phone. "Mabray residence." Layla could only listen to one side of the conversation since she wasn't close enough to hear what was being said.
"Walter, this is Midge, get everyone down to the computer. We have a plan for getting the kids back." Walter smiled quickly and motioned for Layla to get up and get downstairs. Layla tried to move but realized she had been tucked fairly tightly, nearly swaddled.
"Give me a bit. I need to call the others and get them here." Walter began, smiling as he glanced at Layla's predicament. "I already called them. They should be arriving in a few moments. Just wait for them and message me on the computer." Midge told him.
"Mahsi'cho, Auntie Midge." Walter thanked her and hung up the phone. As he replaced the receiver, he walked over to Layla who was looking up at him with a mixture of sass and confusion.
"Is there a particular reason, I have been wrapped up like Molly when mom presented her to me when she was born?" Walter smiled leaning forward and kissing her on the forehead. "I didn't want you to fall out of the chair so I kind of wrapped you up in the chair."
Layla looked down and saw she still couldn't move. "Uh huh." She muttered. She turned her eyes to her husband; he was watching her every move. "Good afternoon, my little ray of sunshine. Midge wants us downstairs by the computer. The others will be here soon.
Layla yawned and tried her best to stretch but found this to be very difficult. "Are you going to let me out of this so I can make some tea and coffee for our guests." She asked moving her shoulders from side to side.
"I would love to, my lady. I am just wondering. When you're loosened are you going to chase me, and try to get revenge for the swaddling?" Walter asked smiling.
Smiling as well, she looked up at him and just nodded her head. "Oh, then I feel releasing you would not be a good idea." Walter began walking around the table to the sink and stove. "I'll start the coffee and tea; you just sit tight and don't go anywhere."
Layla fumed, "Walter honey, let me out of here and I may let you live after I beat you down for this." Tsk, tsk, what would the neighbors think if they found me a bloody pulp?"
"When I tell them what you did, it may be justified." Layla smiled showing her teeth. Walter thought for a moment longer. He walked over and helped to extricate her from the blanket. Once she was free, she reached for a hug.
Feeling he had been forgiven, he walked over and opened his arms. Her swift punch to his chest didn't bother him since he had been expecting it. Feeling his resistance, she dropped her arms and just reached forward and hugged him. "I am glad we might get the kids back tonight." She said placing her head on his shoulder. "Me too honey. By the way, you hit like a girl." He smiled pushing her away and running around the table.
"I am a girl, but remember, I don't have to get you back now. I have an eternity to make you pay for your indiscretions." Layla laughed opening the cabinet and pulling out a small pot for the water for tea.
Everyone arrived a few minutes apart. The Ookami's were the last to arrive since they lived the furthest out from the center of the village. After ten minutes, and a few cups of coffee and tea had been passed around. Layla pulled out the computer, placed it on the counter, and turned it on.
In quick fashion, Midge was on the screen. Everyone saw that Midge was not the only person on the screen. Mr. Rowley and Renata has joined in for the conference call. There was a brief moment when everyone exchanged hellos and waves.
"Midge did you call dad? He should be here for this." Layla wondered aloud looking at the screen. Midge nodded, "Nat already knows the plan, since he had come over while you were supposed to be resting." Layla blushed and turned a glance at Walter. He was watching her every move and smirked when their eyes met.
"Yes Auntie, I have rested. Like a baby." Layla said smiling. "Good, now that everyone is here. Let me tell you what Rowley and I have been discussing." Midge began.
Everyone was listening intently as she continued. "Rowley and Patak are going to be coming over there right now. They are going to plow your runway so your plane can get airborne.
Layla smiled and looked at Atsaq, they each nodded. "Both you and Atsaq need to get that plane ready for liftoff within half an hour." Midge then turned to Mr. Rowley. "Layla, Patak and I should have the runway clear for you by then. Once you are gone. We'll remain in the area and plow as needed for your return." Rowley took a breath and drank from a mug that had been next him. "According to Midge, the next major storm isn't for another day or so. The search party should have smooth sailing to find those kids and bring them back home." Rowley finished.
Midge took a drink from her tea. Once Rowley finished, she turned to the computer. "Nat has radios for the rest of the search party. You will all be connected to Layla in the plane. If she sees the flares the kids said they would be using, they'll tell you where they are, and the rest of you all can get them."
A sound could be heard from the radio that was nearby. "We'll be ready the moment Layla's in the air." Layla smiled when she heard her father's voice. "Midge, can dad hear me?" She nodded her head and reached for her drink.
"Dad, I am glad you were already briefed on the plan. Do you need me to do anything?" Ignoring the crackling of the radio she managed to hear. "Set your radar for thermal imaging. The flares should stand out, and you'll be better able to pinpoint their location. Over."
Midge smiled, "Nat the radio is set for continuous sound, you can hear us, and we can hear you, you don't have to say over." Layla and the gang laughed lightening the mood.
"Okay, Midge, please continue." Nat said. As Midge was drinking her tea, Mr. Rowley stood and thanked Midge and walked out of the frame. Everyone heard the door closing. "The reason for this haste is because during the last video, we saw that the video ended prematurely. This means they have no way of telling time. Rowley, Nat, and I feel that they may be using those flares sooner than expected. We need to be out there searching if they do. Anyone have any other suggestions?" She asked.
No one said a word. "Let go, we have some ids to find and bring back home to Qyah." She watched as everyone at the Trading Post exited the screen and went about their preparations for finding the kids.
She smiled, picked up the phone and dialed the Trading Post. She saw Layla enter the camera view and reach for the phone. "Denali Trading Post. Layla speaking."
"Turn off your computer, you all left without turning it off." Midge said.
Layla turned back to the computer and saw Midge smiling at her and waving. She waved back and turned the computer off. "Thanks Auntie, bye."
Midge continued smiling, "Bye." She said hanging up the phone.
From her perch atop the boxes and the side of the sled, Trini watched as Molly left the tent. She had been holding another flare. "One down, three more to go. I hope this works." Trini thought to herself as she waited for Molly's return.
She looked down and saw that there were still two remaining. A few seconds later, Molly returned. "That last flare had been on for twenty minutes so far right Molly?" She asked as she was eating another sandwich.
"Yep, this one should last for at least another twenty before we need to light up the next one." Molly mentioned. A few seconds later, they both heard the tell-tale sound that the second flare had been lit. Listening, they both heard Tooey having trouble coming back into the hole.
Molly almost stood when she heard him grimacing holding back the pain he had to have been feeling in his legs. She started to move when the flap opened, and he entered the tent limping.
Once he had sat down, Molly offered him another one of the sandwiches Trini had made while they were preparing lighting the flares. "Quyana." He said, accepting the food.
Taking a bite, he looked at the dogs that had been huddled together. "Is there enough to give the dogs, since the last time we fed them was this morning?" He asked. "You mean the last time we fed them was a few minutes ago. While you and Molly were dealing with the flares, I fed the dogs." Trini said smiling toothily.
Molly and Tooey traded glances, "How were you able to when moving hurt you so much?" Molly asked aloud. "Remember Tooey and Molly I have a dog, all I have to do is extend my hand offering it, and they'll come and get it." Trini told them, proud of herself.
"Way to go Trini. I don't even have to offer it, when I leave the room Suki automatically thinks any food in the house is hers." Molly admitted smiling. "Well, when it comes to Suki, she feels everything is hers. Us included." Tooey added.
Molly and Tooey surveyed the provisions that were originally for the Co-op. Seeing how much remained, they determined that what had been left over had now become emergency rations if their attempt at being rescued failed because of the timing of the flares.
"Judging by how much we have to eat and give to the dogs. We have enough in this box to last another two days. Trini looked from her sandwich to Molly, "Molly, I love you both very much, but I really don't want to be here for another day much less two more."
Molly watched as tears started to form in Trini's eyes. "I would not want to be here any longer than you do Trini. I was just letting you both know how well were dealing with this situation in terms of our available rations."
Molly looked from Trini to Tooey before turning back to Trini. "I also love both of you too." She said scooting between Trini and Tooey and hugging them both. They instantly wrapped her in a hug too. They held the hug for few seconds. Molly tried to pull back and release them but felt Trini and Tooey maintaining their grasp of her and would not let her go.
Smiling to herself, she remained sandwiched between them. About a minute later, "As much as I am enjoying the warmth and the love. Teekkone, we need to check the flare and have the next one ready." Molly advised them.
Tooey released them and tried to stand up only to fall back down. She saw him holding his thighs and began rubbing them. "If you're in pain Teekkone, I can take the flare up and replace the other one when it burns out. I know how to light them." Molly offered.
Feeling that his legs were not going to be of much use for the next few minutes, he nodded. Molly gathered up the third flare and placed it into her pocket. Reaching up and hugging first Tooey then Trini she trudged up the packed embankment they had created as a walkway to the top of the hole.
Looking at the smoothed snow along the tree line and the sides of the road they had been traveling on. She saw a rock on the side close to the second burning flare and the first burnt out one. Sitting she waited and watched the other flare. During the wait, she pulled out her phone and tried to turn it on with no results. "I really hope we're not watching our one shot at this going up in smoke." She thought and whispered aloud.
Layla pulled herself into the plane and assumed her position in the pilot's seat. Looking at the gauges, she noted the information the instruments was telling. He pulled out her clipboard and began jotting down the numbers. "Layla, how much fuel do you have? Are you going to need some more to top it off? Atsaq asked climbing into the cargo bay area with her duffel bag strapped to her back.
Layla began start-up procedures, a few moments later, Atsaq heard the plane powering up. "Fuel, oil pressure, HUD, avionics and radar are all good." Layla assured her.
Atsaq placed the duffel bag alongside the side of the plane. She then secured the bag to the plane using several straps. Once the bag was tightened, she shimmied back to the door and sat in the doorway. "Do you have all of your necessary supplies Atsaq?" Layla yelled over the plane's noise.
Looking up from her seat, "Based on Trini's injury, are we going to need the backboard?" Layla asked. "I have it in the car just in case. So yes, I'll be bringing it." Atsaq promptly exited the plane and returned a few minutes later with the backboard.
Layla watched as she was carrying it like a surfboard on her side. Not finding humor in it, she finished with her start-up procedures while Atsaq secured the backboard alongside the duffle bag. When she finished she climbed into the co-pilot's seat and strapped in.
Looking out the window. They saw that Mr. Rowley and Mr. Patak were almost finished with the runway. They were both at the very end. She watched as they made their way back towards the plane.
As Patak and Rowley were passing the plane, Layla saw Mr. Rowley raise his radio. A moment later, what he was saying came over the frequency linked to the plane. "Runway clear Midge. Layla, and Atsaq are good to go."
"Thanks Rowley." Midge said. Less than a breath later, "Nat, Layla are you ready?" She asked. "Nat here, standing by for Layla to get airborne." Layla tapped her headphones, "Layla here, ready for takeoff."
They didn't have long to wait, "Commence Operation Homecoming. May the ancestors guide us. Go, go, go." Midge yelled into the radio.
Nat and Walter revved up their snow machines and took off bringing the trailers with the spares on them. Daniel was riding with Nat, and Kenji was with Walter.
Layla applied power to the ailerons and deflected them until she reached cruising speed. At almost the end, she adjusted the ailerons and guided the plane upward into the chilly afternoon air. Once airborne, she turned the plane northward in the direction of Nenana.
"Dad, you there?" Layla asked. "Dad here, What's up Dak Niighit? Nat wondered. "We're heading north, I know we'll be ahead of you all. If we see anything we'll relay whatever we find to you." Layla added.
"We'll be waiting for any news or changes. Dad out." Nat said.
From her home, she saw the men leaving and the plane rising into the air. "I hop ewe find them." Midge thought aloud. Reneta seated nearby, could only nod her head since she had been feeling the same way.
"They will mom, the village of Qyah is behind them." Renata quietly said, hugging her mother.
"You have got to be kidding me." Trini and Tooey's eyes widened when they heard Molly screaming. "I wonder what's wrong?" Trini asked looking up inside the tent. "I don't know. Be right back." Tooey said as he braced against his thighs and tried to stand up.
Trini observed that Tooey winced and grunted a couple of times before standing up and leaving the tent. She listened as he struggled to climb the ready-made steps out of the hole. She then heard him grunting again. She figured he was at the top and was just trying to stand up again.
As Tooey nearly crested the edge of the hole he slipped and nearly tumbled back down the hole. "I've got you Teekkone." Molly nearly yelled reaching for his arm, and help to pull him up to a standing position
Releasing him, she gave him a few moments to catch his breath. "What's wrong Nani?" He asked still out of breath. Seeing him distressed she walked back over and picked up the flare she had dropped when she reach over to help Tooey when he had slipped.
"Looking up, he saw the flare, "Why didn't you light it?" He asked pointing to the flare. Molly motioned with the flare and struck it causing it to spark a couple of times. Tooey's jaw dropped when he saw that the flare did not ignite. He just looked from the flare to Molly. Her expression was one he had never thought he would ever see. She had a defeated look on her face.
He walked over to Molly. She held out the flare for him to try to light it himself. He ignored the flare and hugged her again. She embraced him and cried into his shoulder like she had done before. "Why won't the flare work? We told them how much time the flares would give us. Now we just lost twenty of those minutes because that darn flare won't work."
Tooey held her tightly while she vented into his chest and shoulder. "Molly Nani, we got this. We still have one more and we might as well use it. Give me a few minutes to get it." Tooey let her go.
"No, Teekkone, I'll get it. Your legs seems to be hurting you. My legs are fine. I'll get it." With those words, she walked to the edge of the hole and climbed back down.
"Molly, I heard you talking up there but couldn't make out what was being said. What happened?" Trini asked with a worried expression on her face. Molly walked over and picked up the last flare. She wiped her face and looked at Trini. "The third flare was a dud; I have to use the last one sooner that we were expected to use it. Basically, we just lost twenty minutes of possibly being able to signal anyone and being rescued tonight."
Trini removed the hides covering her legs. She reached over and caught Molly's parka preventing her from leaving the tent. Not wanting to pull Trini and hurt her she stopped and looked at her, not really wanting to talk at the moment. "Molly?" Trini asked calling her.
She turned and faced her still reaching up and drying her eyes. "What Trini?" Trini watched her shoulders slump when Molly turned to face her. "I know that the flare won't work, I understand that. I just want to inform you that no matter what happens. You and Tooey did the best you could to help us with the videos, the flares, and taking care of me when I was unconscious. I don't care if we have to stay in this hole another freaking week. I would be happy to spend that time with you and Tooey because I know you both care about us." As she was finishing she pulled Molly into a hug.
Molly gingerly reached up and hugged her back. "I just feel that we are losing control and are running out of options." Trini watched as tears filled her eyes and started falling along her cheeks. "Molly, I don't always think on my feet like you do, but the videos we had sent were seen by somebody. Hopefully, they can get word back to Qyah and think of a way to rescue us like you are trying to do from here. I believe in you and Tooey, and I will not accept you losing hope." Trini emphasized hugging her again.
Molly smiled when Trini pulled her in again. When she let her go. She held up the last flare. "I need to get this back topside, and get it lit. It's our last chance."
Trini watched as she lifted the flap and exited the tent. "It'll work, I just know it. Good luck Molly, and Tooey." She yelled. Molly braced her hand against her head for like the twentieth time today. "Maybe, I'm over-thinking this. My head is hurting really bad." She thought to herself.
Coming out of the hole, she saw Tooey was offering to help her up. She accepted his hand he pulled her up. Once upright, she handed him the flare. He twisted the end, exposed the striker, and rubbed it against the end of the flare.
"This is all we have Tooey." She indicated pointing at the flare. "Twenty minutes is all we have." Tooey nodded his head reaching up for Molly. She walked over and sat next to him and leaned against him.
They stared into the fire the flare had created. Molly sighed loudly and looked to the sky. As she was looking up, Tooey heard her sniffling. Seeing nothing but darkness, she yawned. At nearly the same time, Tooey joined her in yawning.
"Molly?" Tooey quietly called. "Yes Tooey," She sniffed again. "You know I am not good when you cry, I hate when it happens." Tooey admitted. "I don't usually cry Teekkone, but I feel helpless because I messed up and we might not be rescued for a few more days." Molly told him hugging her knees to her chest while still holding his arm by her side.
"We also have Trini, she is injured, and she needs a doctor, your mom." Molly said placing her head on her knees and his hand onto her knees against her face.
"I am sorry I got hurt. I wish this had never happened. Also, I can hear everything you're saying." Trini cried. "This is not your fault, we told you that yesterday, Molly. I would not change a thing. I love riding with you and Tooey, on his sled." Trini yelled before stopping because of the pain she was ignoring to talk to them.
"Thanks Trini." Molly said.
"Thanks Trini." Tooey said.
Molly and Tooey watched the flare as it continued putting out light into the surrounding area. Tooey and Molly felt the wind picking up. They also felt some of the loose snow blowing around them. "The wind is really picking up; will the wind blow the flare out?" Molly asked looking from Tooey to the flare.
"No, flares are not a usual type of signaling device like candles. It is a chemical reaction that will not be affected by the wind. It will keep lit until the rest of the chemicals are used. Tooey pointed out.
Looking behind themselves one last time, they saw the flare sputter a few times before going out, relighting again for a minute before sputtering again and finally going out.
"We may as well get some rest. We have nothing to do since we don't have the phone." Tooey mentioned bracing his legs and standing up. He extended his hand. Absently Molly placed her hand in his and he helped her to stand.
Molly checked her parka making sure it was zipped all of the way up. She also reached up and made sure her hat was covering her ears. "I can't hear myself think in this weather." Tooey leaned closer to her and checked his own parka before nodding his head and leading them back to the hole and the tent.
They both sighed heavily as they helped each other climb into the hole and manage their footing so as not to slip. "All we can do now Teekkone is sit and wait." Tooey nodded as he looked where he was placing his feet getting lower and lower.
"Okay, I guess we should get some sleep, since we will have to try again in the morning. Whenever that is, since I don't have a phone to use for the time." Molly sighed turning to the tent. Molly noticed that Tooey seemed to make a habit of it lifted the flap of the tent and offered Molly entrance. Smiling, she ducked under and found her spot beside Trini and waited for Tooey to join them.
Trini perked up slightly when they returned. "Did the last flare go out like the other one?" Molly helped Tooey to sit down knowing his legs were hurting him. "Yep, it burned out a few minutes ago. Were we up there the whole time Trini?" Not missing a beat, "Yep, but the time went by quickly. I was listening, which I told you a little bit ago." Trini told them.
Molly and Tooey yawned again, while moving the hides and covering their legs. Trini also yawned, and when she finished, she was smiling. "You do know you started this Molly." Trini told them pointing to each of them.
They all laughed, "Well, I guess it's contagious." Molly said briefly smiling. "Are we going to be rescued?" Trini asked adjusting her position to be between Tooey and Molly as usual.
Tooey and Molly both shrugged their shoulders. "Okay, what now?" She asked. "Molly suggested sleeping since we'll have to remain here until we get rescued." Tooey mentioned, sitting beside her.
"Oh, well as least we'll be warm, you two are really good heaters." Trini smiled. Tooey and Molly smiled when they were called heaters. "Glad to help Trini, we started this as heaters for you. We might as well keep going since it helps you to sleep." Tooey said blushing and smiling.
A few minutes later, the kids were all situated and snuggling into each other savoring the warmth. "The big difference is you and Tooey are less hairy than Four-spots. You breaths also don't smell like kibble." Trini said quietly closing her eyes and breathing slowly.
Molly and Tooey lifted their heads and looked at each other. Trini smiled as she listened to them talking. "Is she comparing us to her dog?" Tooey asked in an incredulous voice.
Molly laughed quietly, "Well, Teekkone. Let's check bark for us." Tooey's mouth gaped open. "Why do I have to bark?" He asked. "Your name means little wolf. So, I guess you can bark, can't you?" Molly calmly said smiling.
"You are so lucky I love you guys, but I am not barking." Tooey said covering the girls with more hides. "We love you too, Tooey." The girls said together. Trini opened her eyes and found Molly looking at her too, they were both smiling. Less then seven minutes later everyone, including the dogs were asleep.
"What's our heading Layla?" Atsaq asked looking at the console and not really understanding the dials and gauges. "According to the dials right here." She demonstrated as she pointed to two of the dials. "We're traveling north on an azimuth heading between 358 and 2. Just imagine a compass pointing north." Layla mentioned.
"Oh, I remember you telling me that you usually flew line-of-sight. What other ways are there to fly?" Atsaq asked still looking at the dials and gauges. "Well, there's Line-of-Sight or sometimes called "Dead Reckoning" which is just another way of saying straight line distance." Atsaq smiled as her best friend educated her on the intricacies of flying.
"I have been in this plane hundreds of times and I feel more and more proud when she is in her element." Atsaq thought to herself as Layla continued. "There's also Heads-Up- Display, which places the dials onto the window since flying at night can be difficult since you can't see the landmarks vey well, and turning on the inside lights would destroy your night vision." Layla relayed.
"While she was talking, Atsaq looked out of the window and noticed a sudden bright light. "Layla there was a small light I just saw below us, to the left. It came on and then went out again." She said pointing towards the left side of the of the plane.
"Can you tell me whe-" Layla began. "Right there!" She yelled because she saw another light and this one remained lit." Layla quickly scanned the ground and saw the light herself. "I wish I knew where that is. It can be relayed to the guys, and they can check that light out." Atsaq mentioned.
"Actually, it can be relayed to them." Layla told her glancing at her instruments. "Layla to Dad, Layla to Dad." Not a second later, "Dad here, have you found something?" Nat asked.
"Yes sir, Atsaq saw a light briefly. As she was telling me about it. Another light came on. When I passed over, I locked the GPS coordinates. Let me know when you're ready to program them into the SAT phones."
A moment later, "Ready go for it." Nat directed. Walter watched as Nat had slowed down and came to a stop so he could put the numbers into the phone. Daniel noticed they were in a clearing that was fairly wide. He waved to Kenji, and Walter brought his no-go nearer to his position.
"Can Layla drop some of the supplies down here, for us to use if we find them right now." Kenji quickly pulled out hi phone and dialed a number.
"The coordinates are Latitude: 63 58' 8.99" N Longitude: -149 07' 22.20" W, do you need me to repeat them?" She asked turning the plane around heading back towards Qyah.
"Thanks Dak Niighit, I have them programmed into the phone. We're about a couple of miles or so from them. Head back home if we need you again we'll call you and you can return again. I just don't want you to run out of fuel."
Before Layla could respond, she was signaled by Atsaq. "Hang on dad. Atsaq is trying to tell me something." Nat heard some whispering before Layla returned to the phone. "Change of plans, I am going to airdrop some of the medical supplies for you to use, when you find the kids. Atsaq said you are going to need them, just bring them back and Atsaq will take it when you return to Qyah."
Nat looked back around and watched as Kenji lit a road flare and threw it into the clearing and waited. It was a few minutes before Layla's plane could be heard. When it passed overhead at a height of about eighty feet, they all heard the sound of somethings hitting the soft snow. Kenji and Walter immediately drove out to where they had heard the sound coming from.
Using their flashlight, they were quickly able to find the duffel bag, Kenji had seen the previous day when Atsaq was packing it. He saw the backboard wrapped around the duffle bag too. Walter keyed his phone, "Layla, we got the bag and the board."
"Walter, this is Atsaq, Kenji knows how to use the board and some of the supplies in the bag. Please be careful and bring them back safely. I'll start setting up triage at the Trading Post when you get back. Atsaq out."
"You heard her, let's get those supplies and then the kids and get back to Qyah." Walter yelled out for all to hear. Kenji quickly secured the bag and board to the trailer they had been towing and resumed his seat behind Walter.
As they were about to get going again, Nat heard on his phone. "Good luck, everyone. We'll meet you all back home." After ending the conversation, she turned and looed at Atsaq. She was crying. "What wrong, Atsaq?" I think we found them, why are you crying?"
Drying her eyes with a tissue, "I am crying because I agree with your sentiment to your father and the rest of the search party. I am just getting this out of my system, so I can function as a doctor, and not as a mother. Although, to me, there's not much difference between the two." Atsaq smiled as she continued drying her eyes.
Layla felt a few tears herself but could not wipe them because her hands were needed to fly the plane. However, she looked at her best friend , and he friend was watching her as well. They were both smiling.
Before heading out Walter and Nat placed their phones in front of them o they could see the coordinates as they were driving. He gave Nat a thumb-up. Looking at the display, Nat turned more west than north and lead the way into the gloomy snow-covered landscape.
"Nat?" He heard over his headset. "Yes, Walter, what's up?" He answered. "The kids fell into a hole. We really should slow down so as not to fall into the same hole and make the situation worse."
"I agree, drop down to ten miles per hour. It's just a mile or so we'll be fine." Nat told them slowing his machine down. Twenty minutes later, they were approaching the coordinates Layla had relayed. "Do you smell that?" Walter asked.
"Yes, I do. Is that the flares?" Walter asked. From behind him, "Yes they are, I know that smell." Kenji interjected. They slowed down again and came to a stop. "Let's look around, they should be around here somewhere." Walter advised standing up and looking around.
Each of them took a flashlight and ventured off in a different direction. Each had a headlamp but relied mostly on their flashlights since the beam was wider.
Searching and sniffing a few moments, each turned back a few times when the smell seemed to be getting weaker in the direction they had chosen. Daniel has chosen to go slightly east of their position and sniffed the air every few seconds.
The smell go stronger each and every time he sniffed. His heartbeat hastened when he thought to himself, "We found you, this has got to be the right direction." He called out to the others, "I think I have the smell of the flares, this way everyone."
Kenji, Nat, and Walter all called back, and in a few seconds they were all lined up together heading in the same direction Daniel had been heading. After walking a few feet, his light came upon a spent flare. Kenji found a second flare, and then a third one. He picked it up and noticed that it had not been used. He saw that the end that needed to be lit had been destroyed and was unusable.
Turning their lights onto the flares, they all gathered their lights as one and scanned the ground. Daniel noticed that the ground had been tramped down and sloped down a little bit. Stopping her signaled for the others.
"I think I found something." Nat, Kenji, and Walter were be his side in a second. "Yep, looks like the hole Molly had described." Nat mentioned. Daniel carefully clambered down into the hole. He motioned for the others to be quiet. "I hear snoring. I think they're asleep." Daniel whispered.
They all climbed down and saw the dogs huddled together and the makeshift tent, the kids had told them about. As Kenji go to the bottom the dogs stirred. He saw them start wagging their tails. He petted them and they settled down and laid down again.
Lifting the hides that made up the tent, they all saw Trini sandwiched by Molly and Tooey. They had their arms wrapped around Trini as they all slept. They all took a quick moment to admire the kids as they slept. Kenji motioned to Walter who quickly turned and left the hole fairly quickly. About 30 seconds later he returned with the duffel bag and the backboard and lowered them down to the other before climbing back down into the hole.
Daniel and Walter slowly moved the hides covering the kids, and gently wrapped them around the kids before pulling them apart and lifting them all except Trini. "As he was being jostled Tooey opened his eyes. "What's going on?" He asked groggily as he was being lifted. He looked at his father but didn't react immediately.
Trini woke when she felt of heat source not touching her anymore. She also felt her body being moved. "That's hurts Tooey." She tried to push him away. She opened her eyes ready to admonish him again. "Did you forget that it hurts to move Tooey." She nearly screamed before opening her eyes and seeing those around her.
Her mouth fell open, and she stared for a good ten seconds before her mind put two and two together. "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Dad!" she screamed hugging him.
Upon hearing Trini scream "Dad" Molly woke up and looked around seeing her dad, Shchada, Kenji and Daniel holding Trini. "Dad! Shchada!" she screamed as well.
All of them hugged their parents. The kids each looked at each other and noticed that like before, there was tears in all of their eyes. "I am so happy you found us. I was not sure you would since the flar-" Molly began but was interrupted when her Shchada and Walter enveloped her in a hug.
"Sheggoya, we found you, that is all that matters." Nat told them all smiling and crying as he held her. Walter was not far behind in hugging and joining in the emotionality of the reunion.
"Little wolf, I am glad you protected your friends and cared for the dogs like I told you. You are not at fault. This could have happened to me. You did good." Kenji mentioned pulling him into a near bone-crushing hug.
"I did what I could, but they still got hurt." Tooey cried looking at Trini and then to Molly. Daniel interjected, "We'll deal with the injuries. We're glad to have found you. Right Texas?" Daniel said looking at Trini.
She just nodded since talking was not possible since she was crying her eyes out at being found. Daniel sat next to her and pulled her into a hug. "Dad, I love hugs, but that really hurts. I also can't breathe." She mentioned placing her hand onto his chest to prevent him from hugging her again.
"Don't worry Texas, you're all going back to Qyah, and only Layla's plane for a trip to Anchorage." Danile relayed to them as they climbed up and Tooey and Molly were passed up and placed onto the snow.
"Dad, Molly, and I are fine. Trini is the one that really needs help." Tooey pointed out trying to extricate himself from the hides covering him.
"Little wolf, you were all injured. We are making sure that there are no lasting side effects from your fall into that hole. Nor, from the time you all spent in that hole. We've got this." Jenki said looking at Tooey.
"Yes sir, Tooey mentioned staying still and covered by the hides. Molly resigned herself to being cared for and not able to do anything. "Molly doodle, we're going to take care of everything from here." Walter told her.
She watched the adults works. They both heard as well as watched the backboard being raised from the hole. Trini was covered in hides and had been strapped to the board. She was not going anywhere based on how she had been secured.
Just like her and Tooey, Trini was placed onto the snow as the trailer was being unloaded with the extra snow machines. She watched as straps were thrown into the hole. Fifteen minutes or so later, she had no idea. They watched as the snow machines pulled the sled out of the hole.
Walter and Kenji guided them onto the trailer being pulled by Shchada, and Daniel. Once finished, the kids were all loaded onto the second trailer with the dogs and began the slow ride back to Qyah.
The convoy of snow machine and trailers had Walter and Nat pulling the trailers and Kenji and Daniel riding the extras since the trailer was not available to carry them back to Qyah.
Thankful that the adults placed them close to each other. Molly managed to get her hand from inside the hides and placed it on Trini's left hand since she was on her left side. Tooey mimicked the sentiment but on her right side. Tooey and Molly shimmied until they able to reach each other over Trini's legs.
From her position laying down, she was not able to move, but her tears spoke volumes as the kids were getting closer and closer to their home.
"I really love this village. I also really love you folks." Trini said as loud as she could. Not being able to move much, they were content to just hug her legs since they were not able to move.
"Trini, we love you too." Molly said.
"Trini, we love you too." Tooey said.
From her vantage point she lifted her head and saw that they both had tears running down their faces. She dropped her head and smiled. She also had tears of joy running down her face too.
Yupik Dictionary
Waquaa! – Hello
Aana – Mother
Tua-Ingunnituq – Goodbye
Tuntuvak – Moose
Quyana – Thank you
Quyana Tailuci! – Thank you for coming
Gwich'in Dictionary
Sheggoya – My grandchild
Ti'yaa – My father
Dak Niighit – "She rises into the air" Layla Mabray's Native name.
Shchada – My grandfather
Dinjik – Moose
Khoh t'án - Rose
Shahnyaa – One who informs us – Molly's native name